“Presbyterian” means “rule by elders” (from the Greek presbyteros, “elder”). The Session of Redeemer Presbyterian Church consists of the pastor (teaching elder), and ruling elders who are elected by the congregation. The ruling elders together with the pastor guide the congregation and are responsible for shepherding, teaching, encouragement, and pastoral care. The pastor is considered the moderator of Session and head of staff.
The current Session consists of Pastor Benj Giffone (see Staff for more information) and three ruling elders. Each serves a three-year term, which concludes on March 31 of the year noted below:
Amy Stearns (Class of 2027, 1st term)
Amy grew up a nomad, living in South Carolina, Ohio, and France to name a few. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, began her career in campus ministry, and then moved into higher education. She moved to northwest Pennsylvania with her husband Josh and daughter Emeline in 2022. She is also the step-mom of Oliver. In her spare time she can be found riding her road bike, gardening (when she’s not riding), doing a puzzle (when it’s winter and she can’t ride her bike), and spending time with her family (sometimes while riding a bike).
Zack Harvey (Class of 2028, 1st term)
Zack is a husband and a father of three. He graduated from Geneva College in 2014 with a degree in Student Ministry. He previously worked in residential treatment as a Child Care Counselor and currently works full-time as a CNC machinist while also working part-time at Cinemark Tinseltown. Zack is passionate about justice, evangelism, Bible study, and teaching Scripture. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family at the YMCA and reading or listening to books.
Bob LeSuer (Class of 2029, 2nd term)
Bob grew up in the Pittsburgh, PA area and graduated from Grove City College and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He moved to Erie and practiced law for 40 years with the Elderkin Law Firm, concentrating in civil litigation. Bob has been an ordained ruling elder for over 40 years, and has served in several capacities at both the Presbytery and EPC General Assembly levels. Bob and his wife, Laurie, are the parents of three sons, two daughters-in-law and a lively grandson, all of whom reside in the Chicago area. Bob loves to drive, and considers Chicago a suburb of Erie. If ever not driving, he loves to read, ride the Rails to Trails on his recumbent bike, hike the wilds and generate sawdust in his basement woodshop.
College of Elders
In the EPC, as in most presbyterian denominations, ordination to church office is lifelong. Redeemer is blessed to have many ordained elders who are either honorably retired or not currently serving on Session. Nevertheless, these elders, informally called “the College of Elders,” serve and lead faithfully in many capacities at Redeemer, and are consulted periodically by the active Session on important matters:
- Don Adams
- Virginia Boyer
- Lisa Gordon
- Laurie LeSuer (Clerk of Session)
- Jaye Moelk
- Jennifer Pontzer
- Marti Ruggiero
- Sam Ruggiero
- Jamie Stahl
- Marykay Stahl
- Dean Wilson